Six Burning Questions for Upcoming Hilly Cycling Classics

Now that the cobbled-classics are out of the way, conversation and attention will switch to the second half of the spring classics season, with the Amstel Gold, Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege races set to commence over the coming weeks. Gone will be names like Hoste, Boonen, Cavendish, Pozzato, Hincapie, McEwen, and Chavanel. Replacing them will be the one day specialists that excel in the discipline of climbing, names like Basso and Nibali, Rebellin and Cunego, Valverde and Evans, and the brothers Schleck. And with these new names, there are big questions to be answered over the coming weeks. We'll review six of the biggest right now as we open the conversation on the hilly classics season.

1. Can Saxo Bank Finally Bag a Classic for 2009?
Just a year ago this would have been an unheard of statement to make, as the Saxo team (then CSC) had lit up the early season with a handful of wins at several classics. But thus far in 2009, they have been soundly beaten in the biggest European races. Once of their aces Fabian Cancellara has been sick and injured for much of the first part of the year, while rising stars like Matti Breschel and Andy Schleck have been less than stellar thus far. Over the coming days it is probably the elder Schleck, Frank, that has the best chance at victory, and as an established veteran in the hilly classics he should have little problem handling the pressure that surrounds being a favorite. The question is though, does he have the form? If not, Saxo could be looking at their worst start to a season in a long time.

2. Can Columbia Keep Rolling?
Mark Cavendish, Edvald Boassen Hagen and Thomas Lovkwist flew the flag high for Columbia in the first part of the season. Cavendish took top honors at the year's first monument Milan-San Remo, while Lovkwist and Boassen Hagen added classics victories as well, at the Monte Paschi Eroica and Gent Wevelgem races. Now that the hills tilt upward, will Columbia see thier mountain specialists come to the fore? Riders like Mick Rogers and Kim Kirchin will be depended on to keep things moving for the top team of 2009, at least so far.

3. Can Stars Injured During the Early Season Bounce Back?
Big names such as Frank Schleck, Oscar Freire, Kim Kirchin, Philippe Gilbert, and Gerald Ciolek all had early season set backs in the form of sickness, injury, or both. Can these and others put their seasons back on track, or will they be behind the eight ball and off the back during the next few races?

4. Can Alejandro Valverde Resist Negative Press and Pressure and Win Under Duress?
Alejandro Valverde has been more maligned than any other cyclist in 2009. He is waiting for a verdict regarding a possible suspension courtesy of CONI, and his involvement with the Operacion Puerto scandal continues to haunt him by the day. He has taken a few victories already this year, but he may be on borrowed time with the possible suspension looming. Even if he is allowed to ride, will his mind hold up under such strife?

5. Does Davide Rebellin Have Anything Left in the Tank?
Davide Rebellin has been a top flight contender at the hilly classics for many years now. Just last year he went top ten in each of the hilly classics, so it would seem that he should be ready to contend again. Still, at 37 years old, his time is clearly running out. The 2008 Olympic silver medalist will hope to pull one more result out of the bag in 2009, to show his fans and competition that age is only a number.

6. Will 2009 See a Youngster Break through, Similar to Heinrich Haussler?
Heinrich Haussler was the revelation of the early classics season. he was oh so close to his first monument with a second place at Milan-San Remo, and then came second again at the Tour of Flanders. Will there be a youngster that will put on a similar display for the hilly classics? Some names to watch are Robert Gesink, Vincenzo Nibali, Chris Anker Sorensen, and Matthew Lloyd.

There are surely several other big questions to be answered over the coming days, but the above are those that will be front and center for most of the cyclingn worlkd over the coming weeks. Still, don;t be afraid to move the conversation forward. What are you hoping to learn/see during the next few races?